THE SHIPPING OUTLOOK

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 121, 18 November 1918, Page 2

THE SHIPPING OUTLOOK

STATEMENT BY MR. HURLEY. (tmiHD PRBSS ASSOCIATION.—COPSBIOHT.) (AUSIXAUAJfNIW ZEALAND CAtI»N ASSOCIATION.) - NEW YORK, 15th November. Mr. Edward-Hurley, Chairman of the United States Shipping Board, in an interview, said the German passenger and freight vessels which had been idle in German and Austrian ports for four years may be used for transporting American troops to the United States, and carrying back food for the Central i •Powers and the Allies. These vessels would replace seven large British vessels which were being used as American transports. Mr. Hurley said that ships were being built with comfortable' quarters for the crew*.' When asked if the sailors' wages would be reduced in order to enable merchantmen to compete with other nations, he replied: "Certainly not." The wages would be a question for further settlement. In order to "offset the high cost of labour under the American flag, compared with the cost of labour under other flags, one method would be to use modern machinery for loading and unloading ships, thus reducing the cost of operations. - Plans for. the use of such machinery were now under consideration. Mr. Hurley added that the largest part of the one million tons of shipping which would be completed in the United States yards in November and December would be placed on idle Sooth American and other trade routes, and passenger cervices under the American flag would probably be resumed at the New Year.